Laryngeal Paralysis

[smurfette]

Andy (12) was diagnosed with laryngeal paralysis on Monday. I have no experience with this. Does any of you have of had a grey with that diagnosis and what are your experiences?

 

Picture just because (Andy is the black)

 

[macoduck]

Smurfette, do a search in the Health & Medical section here. My senior boy developed LP. He was successfully treated with Doxepin. He had to take the medicine daily, but it was inexpensive. It is an antidepressant for humans so your vet would have to write you a prescription to gt it at a pharmacy.

[greysmom]

It's not uncommon though I have not had a greyhound with diagnosed with it. From what I can remember you need to be careful to keep them from overheating, maybe feed smaller meals more often. There is a surgery that can be done that I know has helped some dogs and not made a large difference with others.

 

Hopefully those with dogs under current treatment will chime in. There are also probably a lot of threads here to search out , but I'm not sure how recent they will be.

[palmettobug]

My Labrador had the tieback surgery at the age of 12 after a crisis episode. I can say that it did help her breathing and quality of life for the next two years, but I think it exacerbated her rear end weakness, which was already compromised due to spinal and hip arthritis. She more and more lost continence and developed UTI after UTI, even though her brain and demeanor was still upbeat and Lab-happy. I wish we could have had a diagnosis sooner, and been able to try medication first.

[MP_the4pack]

My 11 yr old had the tieback surgery. Did fine. Lived to 15 1/2.

 

I was very cautious with what I fed her. Nothing that she could inhale like rice or milkbones. And if she did vomit for whatever reason I took her to the vets immediately.

[KF_in_Georgia]

An experienced greyhound owner I know has had a diagnosis of LP for her senior agility dog. You can find Jennifer's blog posts here.

[Scoutsmom]

My Henry (12.75 years old) has LP. I have him on the Doxepin which does make a difference. It is an off-label use of the drug. It may be called something else in Germany.

 

My vet recommended against the tie-back surgery because he reacted badly to the anesthesia on his last dental and he hates going to the vet. Also, in her experience, most dogs that have the surgery end up getting pneumonia from food getting into their lungs, making them very sick and often dying.

 

I am very careful that he doesn't get overheated. Last summer I got him a cooling jacket from Ruffwear and it is a lifesaver on hot days. I highly recommend you get one. I think Amazon sells them, but they are generally cheaper if you get them directly from the manufacturer (Ruffwear in Bend, OR.). I also have a support harness from Ruffwear that he has been wearing a lot this spring as his hind end is now very weak and he trips/falls occasionally and needing my help to get up. It has a handle over his back which is very easy to grab and lift him up or just to steady him.

 

That said, he still loves his evening walks with our family although he is only up to going a couple blocks and less if it is warm. I no longer keep him on a leash in my neighborhood. I don't want any pressure on his throat or chest and want him to be able to go at his own pace. He has always been a very good boy about staying right with me so I trust him off leash in familiar areas. Anywhere else he is on his leash and harness. The only reason he still wears a collar is because of his tags. I never ever grab him or direct him with it any more.

 

When he does breathe heavily, it seems like anxiety kicks in, making the problem worse. In those situations I have given him Tramadol to relax him. I've heard hemp cookies or powder from a company called canna-pet.com works well for this and I have ordered some.

 

The trick with LP is managing it and keeping your dog happy.

Edited May 10, 2018 by Scoutsmom

[tbhounds]

One needs to consider if its bilateral or unilateral. If its bilateral I would move forward with the tieback. Just even thinking about my dog suffocating is enough to make me sick. Not a good way to go.

[FiveRoooooers]

A friend's 12.5 yo girl had the tieback surgery and got almost two more years of a wonderful life. Keeping the dogs as cool as possible and minimizing panting is extremely important.

 

Andy

[smurfette]

Thanks everyone for taking your time to answer my question.

Good for us that it does not get that hot around here. The vet I consulted for the sonography told me that the LP is bilateral and that the neuropathy that causes it also causes the weakening of Andy's back end.

He has physiotherapy every 2 weeks to keep him mobile and the LP is in the beginning (the vet said). Andy still loves to walk but only for ~45 minutes before he starts dragging his hind legs.

He also always had trouble with anesthetic. He needs far more time to come back than other greys (and the vet is a greyhound specialist).

 

It's a difficult decision.

[FiveRoooooers]

A 45' walk sounds like a lot of walk before the hind legs start to drag. That is really good Andy.

 

LP and LS do seem to eventually present together. Pagliaccio had LS for far longer than he had LP. My wonderful vet was able to keep his LS manageable with varying treatments: Depo injections, Adequan (I gave these at home), acupuncture, Gabapentin, Tramadol, Deramaxx. Eventually Pal's little body wore out, he was 14.1.

[smurfette]

A 45' walk sounds like a lot of walk before the hind legs start to drag. That is really good Andy.

 

LP and LS do seem to eventually present together. Pagliaccio had LS for far longer than he had LP. My wonderful vet was able to keep his LS manageable with varying treatments: Depo injections, Adequan (I gave these at home), acupuncture, Gabapentin, Tramadol, Deramaxx. Eventually Pal's little body wore out, he was 14.1.

My vet explained to me that LS and LP indeed go together. The nerves stop working and cause the muscle loss in the back as the do in the larynx. Andy has physiotherapy and cold laser every 2 weeks (his physiotherapist is also a reiki master and shakra healer which he benefits from). I have him on different homeopathic remedies and add st.johns wort to his food because it is known to be able to heal nerve damages.

[schnookums]

So sorry to hear that Andy has LP. Blue was diagnosed with partial LP 4 years ago. He is 12 and 3 months now. Keeping him cool and calm is a must and finding food which is easy to eat is challenging. Bit hard though when you have other grey souls that need to be kept warm! Andy is a lovely boy. I know how devastating it is when you find out your precious grey has this problem. Please give him big hugs from me, and hugs for you too.

How lucky he is to be with you.

[XTRAWLD]

Interesting about the LP-LS link. I had LS with Kasey and he certainly got into panting a lot as he aged,(although I was assured he didnt have LP). I'm seeing the same with Ryder regarding increased panting and the LS creeping in. I know you can help the muscle in a leg through some exercise and meds, but no idea how to support a muscle in a throat.

[smurfette]

Interesting about the LP-LS link. I had LS with Kasey and he certainly got into panting a lot as he aged,(although I was assured he didnt have LP). I'm seeing the same with Ryder regarding increased panting and the LS creeping in. I know you can help the muscle in a leg through some exercise and meds, but no idea how to support a muscle in a throat.

The muscle loss is due to the nerves losing their function. To prevent the muscle loss one has to find a way to keep the nerves from deteriorating. This is the way I am trying to find. Andy is on several homeopathic remedies and I add St. John's Wort (hypericum perforatum) to his meals. This plant is known to help with nerve damages and even can heal nerve cells.

 

I don't think I will find a cure but I hope to slow the deterioration down. He also gets physio and laser accupuncture for his back every 2 weeks.

At the moment Andy has slight trouble breathing when it hot outside. So he stays inside with his fan. And all appointments for him are early in the morning.

[XTRAWLD]

For LS, we try to remain active, which might be counter intuitive for LP. I'm not talking about running, but walking is still important. If you are able, find small grassy inclines to get the legs working, and/or put a bunch of paper towel rolls (brand new) spaced out on the floor and have Andy walk in a straight line over them once or twice a day. It encourages him to pick up his feet and keep mobile.

[smurfette]

Andy is still very mobile (for him). Yesterday was a cloudy day and we took a walk to the bakery. We needed 1,5 hours until we were back but we moved slowly with lots of stops (river for some soaking, kindergarten for some cuddling, bakery for buying breakfast, river and soaking again).

He wants to join Paddy and Saoirse on their walks so I take him with me whenever the weather is cool enough. Andy walks off lead most of the time and can set his own pace....even wanted to chase a bunny yesterday (2 little hops - he stops when I call him).

[XTRAWLD]

Andy is on several homeopathic remedies and I add St. John's Wort (hypericum perforatum) to his meals. This plant is known to help with nerve damages and even can heal nerve cells.

 

 

Can you tell me the dosage? Is this a capsule or powder or....?

[smurfette]

Can you tell me the dosage? Is this a capsule or powder or....?

I buy the St. John's Wort as tea leaves and add 1 teaspoon per meal.

 

And here are some homeopathic remedies I use for Andy:

Nux vomica c1000 for nerve conductivity

Causticum c1000 for the nerves in the throat

Hypericum c30 (same as the tea leaves)

Gelsemium LM 06 against paralysis

Conium c30 for everything age related

 

The c1000 are for a 1 time use ( like once a year), the c30 for everything acute (like every now and than when I feel he needs it) and the LM06 for every day with every meal.